The Perfect Cup

I still don't have it right, my first cup of Joe that is. Mom indulged us with a new Delonghi cappuccino/coffee maker for Christmas. I am still learning how to use it. This unit is so different than the little single cup Krups we'd been using, it's back to square one in the prep.

I decided to take this photo before the assembly step on my cup of cap because it struck me how fussy I am getting about it and how many things were out on the counter just so I could get the task done. Let's go through it, shall we?

Can of regular grind coffee from Trader Joes
Milk carton
Hazelnut creamer (just in case I wanted to try it)
Cappuccino mug (with hot water to warm it)
Electric Coffee Mill (because a cappuccino needs a finer grind)
Liquid Stevia natural sweetener
2 Small glass measuring cups (the drip and steamed milk)
Teaspoon to fold the frothed milk before pouring

You're wondering what the spray bottle of water is for. That's to keep my kitten off the counter while I am fussing with my first cup of coffee. Grounds all over the counter is okay, but no animals please. Not depicted above are the whole nutmeg nut and grater I use to get some on the top of the frothed milk.

[Special note to friends and family: You do NOT have to serve coffee to me this way when I am an overnight guest!]